| Like humans, dogs too, suffer
from allergies. Dog allergies can be due to elements in the
air, in their food or on their skin. Continuous scratching,
chewing, licking, etc., requires immediate attention. When
a dog develops an allergy, it is assumed that it is dog food
allergy. However only about 10% – 15% cases of dog allergies
are dog food allergies. The dog allergies we discuss here
are Dog Food Allergies, Flea Allergy, Bacteria Allergy, Contact
Allergy and Atopy.
Dog Food Allergies:
Your dog may be sensitive to lactose in dairy products, or
to the gluten in grains like wheat, soy or corn. Dog food
allergies could also be due to dog foods like eggs, sour fruits,
beef, chicken, pork, lamb and fish or even preservatives added
to food.
Symptoms: Scratching, sneezing,
coughing, discharge from the eyes and nose, itching around
the genital area, hair loss, loss of appetite, continuous
pawing at the ears or shaking of the head, vomiting, diarrhea
or breathing problems.
Suggestions: First determine the
allergen so it can be eliminated. Food allergy tests can also
be done. If identification is not possible, an elimination
diet must be followed where all substances that trigger an
allergic reaction are removed. Once you know the allergen,
check the labels while purchasing dog food to make sure that
ingredients causing dog food allergies are not present.
Flea Allergies:
Flea allergies are most prominent during summer. Dog allergies
caused by fleas, are usually due to a flea’s saliva.
This is called Flea Bite Dermatitis. Your vet can easily diagnose
this dog allergy by checking for fleas in your dog’s
coat.
Symptoms: Scratching at the tail
area leading to hair loss, scabs and sores.
Suggestions: Careful grooming and
frequent examinations, not only for fleas but flea droppings,
can help reduce this allergy. An oatmeal or Aloe Vera bath
can help soothe the itching.
Bacterial Allergies:
Some dogs develop sensitivity to the Staph bacteria normally
harbored in the dog’s skin.
Symptoms: Patches showing hair loss
can be found on the dog’s body due to scratching. Scabs
may also develop on the skin.
Suggestions: Your vet may prescribe
some medication to reduce symptoms but if scabs become infected
your dog will need antibiotics.
Contact Allergies:
Although contact allergies are the least common of all dog
allergies you need to consider its possibility. Your dog may
be allergic to its bedding which may be of wood or wool, flea
collar, plastic food bowl, wool sweater, plants or grass.
Symptoms: Redness and itching of
skin particularly on feet, armpits and groin or even hair
loss.
Suggestions: The only solution
is to remove the identified allergen from your dog’s
surroundings.
Atopy or Hypersensitivity:
The most common of dog allergies, atopy is caused by dust
mites, mold spores, dust, human skin flakes or dander, feathers
or pollen or even by household chemicals like air fresheners
or carpet cleaners. They usually erupt in the spring and fall
and are not easy to detect, as other dog allergies have similar
symptoms. Once the other dog allergies have been ruled out,
your vet can proceed with testing for the basic cause of the
atopy.
Symptoms: Scratching and licking
at the face, paws, abdomen, armpits and genital area which
cause dark stains to develop due to the constant licking.
However if your dog has a dark coat, this may not be evident.
Suggestions: The allergen needs
to be removed from your dog’s surroundings or avoid
taking your dog to locations where the allergen exists.
Kindly note that your vet may prescribe medication to reduce
symptoms of most dog allergies.
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